Dover man charged with armed robbery at Somersworth gas station

SOMERSWORTH – After hearing from area residents, police arrested a Dover man Thursday in connection with a robbery at the Irving station along Route 108 two days earlier.

Chad A. Needham, 25, of 6 Newton St. in Dover, was charged with armed robbery after he allegedly used a handgun to steal cigarettes and cash from the store at 55 Route 108 around 8 a.m. Tuesday.

According to police, after fleeing from the store on foot, he ran into the woods across the road. A K-9 team from the Strafford County Sheriff’s Department later led officers to the area near the Midway Buick parking lot, where they believe Neeham had a vehicle and drove off.

Police requested assistance from the public and notified other area departments, distributing a description of the man and a vehicle he may have used.

“The quick resolution to this crime was made possible by the responses from the public to the photos of the suspect published by local media,” police said in a release.

Neeham was arrested at his home, where police allegedly found evidence from the robbery, including an undisclosed about of cash and cigarettes.

Officers also found a black pellet pistol – which was identified as being used during the robbery - along the side of Route 108, according to police.

Following his arrest, Needham was held at Strafford County Jail in Dover on $10,000 cash bail. His is scheduled to be arraigned at the 7th Circuit Court - Dover Division Friday at 10:45 a.m.